MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – Paul John Flaucher, 30, is facing felony charges for animal abuse, after police say he was seen hitting seagulls with a shovel.
According to a report, Flaucher, from Jesup, Iowa was seen hitting the birds on the South Beach area of Marco Island in Nov. 2021.
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On Friday, 11/5/2021 on South Beach, this male was seen using a shovel to injure a seagull. If you can help us identify this individual please contact the Department at (239) 389-5050 and ask to speak with the detectives.#MarcoIsland #MIPD #BetterTogether #WeProtectParadise pic.twitter.com/kVhaxiFno9
— Marco Island Police Department (@MarcoIslandPD) November 8, 2021
One of the seagulls who was hit suffered a broken wing and was no longer able to fly. It was later euthanized at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The seagull is a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Flaucher turned himself in at the Collier County Jail on Wednesday. He faces one count of aggravated animal cruelty.